Given that there aren't but a very few available, there's no number you can accurately or even logically assign to it's market value. It all depends on the individual owner/buyer.

To the present owner, it's worth $26.5K. To a high-end collector of Commonwealth/ANZAC stuff, it might or might not be worth that much depending on how it well completes his collection. To someone who just wants an original WWII shooter it's probably not worth anywhere near that much; there are Stens, MP40s, Reisings, M2 carbines and Berettas available for a lot less.

Gun has the initals of Larry R Smith added as a suffix to the serial number. Smith was a long time MG collector and MG gunsmith who reactivated many, many registered DEWATs. Generally the work was good but not exceptional since the value of many of the guns he reactivated during the years he was working were not especially high. Barrel clearly was replaced rather than the original barrel being restored from the welding of the breech. I have had a number of his reactivations over the years and still have one in my collection.

Interests:Class 3, DD's, Cast Iron Cookware, Working...(What I refer to as "Herding Cats")... Not so much any more!

Posted 23 December 2018 - 04:47 PM

I missed a cherry example at KC last Spring at 34K. He was asking 36K... It was next to Allister's table. I thought about it and went back to think it over and 15 minutes later I looked up to see a gent buy it. It wasn't reactivated as far as I could tell. The brl on the GB gun is a bit rough for me. I'd say that's a good market price...

This Owen was sold at the show, but the buyer backed out. The rough looking description would be correct. All good points in the conversation. What is it worth to a potential buyer. That is up to the buyer personally, I would not let a reactivated, non matching or refinished NFA weapon, stand in the way of a good functioning C&R subgun. Almost every C&R subgun, LMG or beltfeed that we have purchased over the years have been reactivated. We always file a FOIA request. Along with the dozens of DEWATs that we have purchased over the years. With the exception of PD guns and a couple of Amnesty registrations of WWII machine guns. One in particular was a Savage manufactured M2 HB 50 cal that started life in a flexible aircraft configuration. Down the road it was changed to the HB configuration during its military life.

We have experience with all of the other subguns listed in an above post on this thread.I agree that for the price and if one just wants a nice shooter. Get one of those. The Owen is a great shooter and very simple to take down and clean. Itll sell sooner than later, whether on GB or another way. You can bet on that...

This gun was at the last SAR show on Dan Shea's (Phoenix Defense) tables.
That auction is his, along with a nice selection of other interesting MG's.

His Lanchester is really nice, cleaner than my own, a good friend looked at that purchase and may still make that happen.

I looked at the OWEN really closely, and took it down to see the internals.
It "fits" in with what I collect, but so did that MK1 BREN I bought some months ago!
My budget hasn't quite recouped from that expenditure.

I did make an offer but it was what I could afford, so the OWEN is still for sale.

It is. I purchased it. It's a fair price for an extremely hard to find WW2 SMG. I'm trying to collect a WW2 SMG from every country involved in WW2 ( at least every major player ). I don't mind the non matching barrel (probably replaced because of the dewat). I missed out on an Owen about 7 years ago cause I didn't pull the trigger soon enough (it went for 29k). Still looking for a Jap Type 100 SMG. Also, if anyone has an Owen mag for sale I'm interested. Todd in Oregon

It is. I purchased it. It's a fair price for an extremely hard to find WW2 SMG. I'm trying to collect a WW2 SMG from every country involved in WW2 ( at least every major player ). I don't mind the non matching barrel (probably replaced because of the dewat). I missed out on an Owen about 7 years ago cause I didn't pull the trigger soon enough (it went for 29k). Still looking for a Jap Type 100 SMG. Also, if anyone has an Owen mag for sale I'm interested. Todd in Oregon

Congrats...nice score. Can't wait to hear all about it..I will keep an eye open for mags.

It is. I purchased it. It's a fair price for an extremely hard to find WW2 SMG. I'm trying to collect a WW2 SMG from every country involved in WW2 ( at least every major player ). I don't mind the non matching barrel (probably replaced because of the dewat). I missed out on an Owen about 7 years ago cause I didn't pull the trigger soon enough (it went for 29k). Still looking for a Jap Type 100 SMG. Also, if anyone has an Owen mag for sale I'm interested. Todd in Oregon

Nice grab...great subgun at a great price. I remember seeing within the past 6 months someone had a handful of Owen mags for sale at what I thought was a very reasonable price at the time. They were probably gobbled up...I'll do my best to dig up where I saw those. Again...congrats.